β-sitosterol reduces anxiety and synergizes with established anxiolytic drugs in mice

Exploration of Bioactive Compounds in Benincasa hispida Seeds: Insight Into Their Therapeutic Potential for Alzheimer's Disease Management Using Computer-Aided Drug Design Platform

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is primarily caused by abnormal protein accumulation, such as β-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, leading to neuronal damage via oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and progressive brain atrophy. It is crucial to address and explore alternative therapeutic candidates. Based on traditional reports, the present study investigates the phytochemicals presented in Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. seeds and their potency against AD. Primarily, four different solvent systems have been used for crude extraction, and simultaneously 51 phytochemicals (BH_P1-BH_P51) have been selected through chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for further study. Five putative AD-associated targets, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), serotonin transporter (SERT), and D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2), were used to explore the individual therapeutic efficacy in the form of docking score using the PyRx 0.8-AutoDock 4.2 platform. According to the docking score (kcal/mol), BH_P19, BH_P20, BH_P30, BH_P18/BH_P31, and BH_P17 are promising ones. Furthermore, the drug-likeness profiles and ligand stability with AChE for 100 nanoseconds in the molecular dynamics simulation study revealed that BH_P19 was the lead therapeutic candidate among all. Overall, the integration of spectral techniques and computational investigations together highlights and encourages the exploration of natural regimens for AD.

Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Experimental Validation on Guiluoshi Anzang Decoction Against Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is a disease suffered by women under the age of 40 when ovarian function has declined, seriously affecting both the physical and mental health of women. Guiluoshi Anzang decoction (GLSAZD) has been used for a long time and has a unique therapeutic effect on improving ovarian function. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of GLSAZD in treating POI through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification.

METHODS

In this study, the active ingredients of Guiluoshi Anzang Decoction and the targets of POI were obtained from TCMSP, BATMANN-TCM, Uniprot, GeneCards, and other databases, and network pharmacology analysis was performed. Molecular docking was conducted to validate the affinity of the main active ingredient of GLSAZD to key POI targets. A POI SD rat model was established, and HE staining, ELISA, Real-time PCR, and Western blot experiments were performed to verify the predicted core targets and the therapeutic effects.

RESULTS

10 core targets and the top 5 ingredients were screened out. Molecular docking showed core targets AKT1, CASP3, TNF, TP53, and IL6 had stable binding with the core 5 ingredients quercetin, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, luteolin, and Stigmasterol. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated the mechanism involved in the positive regulation of gene expression, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and apoptosis signaling pathways. Animal experiments indicated GLSAZD could up-regulate the protein expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT1 and the mRNA expression of STAT3 and VEGF, down-regulate TP53 and Cleaved Caspase-3 protein expression in rat`s ovarian tissues and serum TNF-α and IL-6 protein levels, activate PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and inhibit the apoptosis signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

GLSAZD treats POI through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway approaches. This study provided evidence for its clinical application in treating POI and shed light on the study of traditional medicine of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China.

Differential modulation of pain and associated anxiety by GABAergic neuronal circuits in the lateral habenula

Persistent pain frequently precipitates the development of anxiety disorders, yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we employed a mouse model that simulates trigeminal neuralgia and observed a marked reduction in the activity of GABAergic neurons in the lateral habenula (LHb), a critical region for modulating pain and anxiety. We utilized precise optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques to modulate these neurons, which significantly alleviated behaviors associated with pain and anxiety. Our investigations revealed an inhibitory pathway from the LHb GABAergic neurons to the posterior paraventricular thalamus. Activation of this pathway primarily mitigated pain-related behaviors, with minimal effects on anxiety. Conversely, interactions between GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons within the LHb were essential in alleviating both pain and anxiety following trigeminal nerve damage. Additionally, we identified that β-sitosterol interacts directly with LHb GABAergic neurons via the estrogen receptor α, providing dual therapeutic effects for both pain and anxiety. These findings highlight the critical role of reduced GABAergic neuronal activity in the LHb in the intersection of pain and anxiety, pointing to promising therapeutic possibilities.

The mechanism of wen jing tang in the treatment of endometriosis: Insights from network pharmacology and experimental validation

Background

Endometriosis (EM) is a hormone-dependent condition marked by progressively severe secondary dysmenorrhea, significantly impacting patients' quality of life and overall health. Wen Jing Tang (WJT), a traditional Chinese medicinal formulation derived from the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, has proven to be an effective therapeutic agent for EM. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its efficacy remain unclear.

Objective

This study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of WJT in the treatment of EM by integrating network pharmacology analysis with experimental validation.

Methods

The chemical constituents and target sites of WJT were obtained from the TCMSP database, while EM-related target genes were sourced from OMIM, TTD, GeneCards, and the DrugBank databases. A "herbs-components-targets" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1. The intersecting target genes of WJT and EM were then uploaded to the STRING database for protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Subsequently, the common target genes were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analysis via the DAVID database. Molecular docking were employed to analyze the binding affinities between the top five core components and their respective targets. Additionally, ELISA were used to quantify the serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, E2, and P in EM model rats. The expression levels of TNF-α, HIF1A, STAT3, and EGFR mRNA and proteins in ectopic endometrial tissue were assessed using q-PCR and Western blotting.

Results

A total of 250 chemical components and 553 targets were identified in WJT, while 3491 EM-related targets were screened from multiple databases. Among these, 187 common targets between WJT and EM were found, with quercetin, kaempferol, and beta-sitosterol emerging as the core chemical components, and AKT1, IL6, TNF, and IL1B identified as the key targets. These core components demonstrated strong binding affinities to the targets. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the shared targets were primarily involved in the HIF1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, compared to the control group, the EM model rats exhibited an increased ectopic endometrial area, disordered glandular and stromal cells, and notable inflammatory infiltration. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, E2, and P were significantly elevated (P < 0.01), and the expression of TNF-α, HIF1A, STAT3, and EGFR in the ectopic endometrium was markedly increased (P < 0.01). Following WJT intervention, the ectopic endometrial area in model rats was reduced, the morphology and structure of the endometrial cells showed improvement, and serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, E2, and P were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). WJT also inhibited the expression of HIF1 pathway-related proteins TNF-α, HIF1A, STAT3, and EGFR (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The mechanism by which WJT prevents and treats EM may involve the reduction of inflammation through the inhibition of the HIF1 signaling pathway.

Beta-sitosterol mitigates cognitive deficit and hippocampal neurodegeneration in mice with trimethyltin-induced toxicity

The present study investigated the neural health benefit of beta-sitosterol (BSS) against trimethyltin (TMT)-induced neurodegeneration in mice. Forty male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were randomly divided into Sham-veh, TMT-veh, TMT-BSS50, and TMT-BSS100. A one-time intraperitoneal injection of 2.6 mg/kg of TMT was given to mice in TMT groups. Vehicle (veh), BSS 50 mg/kg or BSS 100 mg/kg were orally given for 2 weeks. Spatial learning and memory were evaluated. Brain oxidative status, hippocampal neuropathology, and reactive astrocytes were done. White matter pathology was also evaluated. The results indicated the massy effect of TMT on induced motor ability and spatial memory deficits in accordance with increased neuronal degeneration in Cornus ammonis (CA) 1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) and internal capsule white matter damage. TMT also induced the reduction of reactive astrocytes in CA1 and DG. Brain's catalase activity was significantly reduced by TMT, but not in mice with BSS treatments. Both doses of BSS treatment exhibited improvement in motor ability and spatial memory deficits in accordance with the activation of reactive astrocytes in CA1, CA3, and DG. However, they successfully prevented the increase of neuronal degeneration in CA1 found only with the BSS dose of 100 mg/kg, and it was indicated as the effective dose for neuroprotection in the vulnerable brain area. This study demonstrated mitigative effects of BSS against motor ability and memory deficits with neural health benefits, including a protective effect against CA1 neurodegeneration and a nurturing effect on hippocampal reactive astrocytes.

Spatial Metabolomics Profiling Reveals Curcumin Induces Metabolic Reprogramming in Three-Dimensional Tumor Spheroids

Curcumin is widely recognized for its diverse antitumor properties, ranging from breast cancer to many other types of cancers. However, its role in the tumor microenvironment remains to be elucidated. In this study, we established a 3D tumor spheroids model that can simulate the growth environment of tumor cells and visualized the antitumor metabolic alteration caused by curcumin using mass spectrometry imaging technology. Our results showed that curcumin not only exerts a profound impact on the growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells but in situ multivariate statistical analysis also reveals the significant effect on the overall metabolic profile of tumor spheroids. Meanwhile, our visualization map characterized curcumin metabolic processes of reduction and glucuronidation in tumor spheroids. More importantly, abnormal metabolic pathways related to lipid metabolism and polyamine metabolism were also remodeled at the metabolite and gene levels after curcumin intervention. These insights deepen our comprehension of the regulatory mechanism of curcumin on the tumor metabolic network, furnishing powerful references for antitumor treatment.

Liver Extracellular Vesicles and Particles Enriched β-Sitosterol Effectively Promote Liver Regeneration in Mice

Background

The liver's regenerative capacity allows it to repair itself after injury. Extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) in the liver's interstitial space are crucial for signal transduction, metabolism, and immune regulation. Understanding the role and mechanism of liver-derived EVPs in regeneration is significant, particularly after partial hepatectomy, where the mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods

A 70% hepatectomy model was established in mice, and EVPs were isolated and characterized using electron microscopy, nanocharacterization, and Western blot analysis. Combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed β-sitosterol enrichment in EVPs and activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway during regeneration. The role of β-sitosterol in EVPs on the Hedgehog pathway and its targets were identified using qRT-PCR, Western blot analysis. The regulation of carnitine synthesis by this pathway was determined using a dual luciferase assay. The effect of a β-sitosterol diet on liver regeneration was verified in mice.

Results

After 70% hepatectomy, the liver successfully regenerated without liver failure or death. At 24 hours post-surgery, tissue staining showed transient regeneration-associated steatosis (TRAS), with increased Ki67 positivity at 48 hours. EVPs displayed a spherical lipid bilayer structure with particle sizes of 70-130 nm. CD9, CD63, and CD81 in liver-derived EVPs were confirmed. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed EVPs supplementation significantly promoted carnitine synthesis and fatty acid oxidation. Tissue staining confirmed accelerated TRAS resolution and enhanced liver regeneration with EVP supplementation. Mass spectrometry identified β-sitosterol in EVPs, which binds to Smo protein, activating the Hedgehog pathway. This led to the nuclear transport of Gli3, stimulating Setd5 transcription and inducing carnitine synthesis, thereby accelerating fatty acid oxidation. Mice with increased β-sitosterol intake showed faster TRAS resolution and liver regeneration compared to controls.

Conclusion

Liver-derived EVPs promote regeneration after partial hepatectomy. β-sitosterol from EVPs accelerates fatty acid oxidation and promotes liver regeneration by activating Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Exploration of the mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine for anxiety and depression in patients with diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome based on network pharmacology and meta-analysis

Background

The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in managing irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) accompanied by anxiety and depression remains uncertain. Thus, a systematic review was carried out employing meta-analysis and network pharmacology to ascertain the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of CHM therapy.

Methods

By conducting a systematic review, including literature search, screening, and data extraction, we identified 25 randomized controlled trials to assess CHM's effectiveness in treating irritable bowel syndrome alongside anxiety and depression. Network pharmacology was utilized to scrutinize the metabolite utility of CHM in addressing this condition. Potential primary mechanisms were synthesized using information sourced from the PubMed database.

Results

Twenty-five studies, including 2055 patients, were analyzed, revealing significant treatment efficacy for IBS-D in the trial group compared to controls [OR = 4.01, 95% CI (2.99, 5.36), I2 = 0%] Additionally, treatment for depression [SMD = -1.08, 95% CI (-1.30, -0.86), p < 0.00001, I2 = 68%; SDS: SMD = -1.69, 95% CI (-2.48, -0.90), p < 0.0001, I2 = 96%] and anxiety [HAMA: SMD = -1.29, 95% CI (-1.68, -0.91), p < 0.00001, I2 = 89%; SAS: SMD = -1.75, 95% CI (-2.55, -0.95), p < 0.00001, I2 = 96%] significantly improved in the trial group. Furthermore, the trial group exhibited a significantly lower disease relapse rate [OR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.20, 0.44), p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%]. CHM treatment consistently improved IBS severity (IBS-SSS) and symptom scores. Network pharmacology analysis identified key chemical metabolites in traditional Chinese medicine formulations, including Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Quercetin, Naringenin, Luteolin, Kaempferol, Nobiletin, Wogonin, Formononetin, and Isorhamnetin. Utilizing the STRING database and Cytoscape v3.9.0 software, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network revealed the top eight key targets: IL-6, TNF, PPARG, PTGS2, ESR1, NOS3, MAPK8, and AKT1, implicated in anti-inflammatory responses, antioxidant stress modulation, and neurotransmitter homeostasis maintenance.

Conclusion

Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) offers a promising and safe treatment approach for patients dealing with Diarrheal Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D) accompanied by anxiety and depression; thus, indicating its potential for practical implementation. The most active metabolites of CHM could simultaneously act on the pathological targets of IBS-D, anxiety, and depression.The diverse scope of CHM's therapeutic role includes various aspects and objectives, underscoring its potential for broad utilization.

β-sitosterol alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis via inhibition of NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis

Background: Inflammation-related NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis is involved in the progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). β-sitosterol (SIT) was reported to have anti-inflammatory effects on experimental colitis, while the regulation of SIT on pyroptosis is unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to define the protective and healing effects of SIT on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental UC rats and human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) and explore the underlying mechanisms that are responsible for its effects on NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in UC. Methods: UC model rats were established by oral 4% DSS. Following colitis injury, the animals received SIT (doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) treatment for 2 weeks. For in vitro study, we exposed Caco-2-50 mg/mL DSS with or without SIT (concentrations of 8 and 16 μg/mL). Disease activity index (DAI) and histopathological injury were assessed in vivo. Activation proteins of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling axis, and tight junction-related proteins of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin were detected in colon tissues. TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 in serum and cell supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Changes in NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis signaling pathway activation were analyzed both in tissues and cells. Results: Our findings suggested that SIT treatment attenuated the severity of 4% DSS-induced UC by protecting rats from weight and colon length loss, and macroscopic damage. SIT also reduced proinflammatory factors production (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18) in serum and cell supernatant. Mechanistically, SIT downregulated the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins including Caspase-1, cleaved-Caspase-1, NLRP3, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N in colon tissues and Caco-2 cells. Further analysis indicated that SIT maintained the colonic barrier integrity by enhancing the protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin. Conclusion: We confirmed that SIT exerts protective and therapeutic effects on DSS-induced colitis injury by suppressing NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis and inflammation response. These findings demonstrated that SIT could be a potential medication for UC treatment.

Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation to explore the potential mechanism of Long Mu Qing Xin mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Background: Long Mu Qing Xin Mixture (LMQXM) has shown potentially positive effects in alleviating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, the action mechanism is still not fully understood. This study aimed to predict the potential mechanism of LMQXM for ADHD using network pharmacology and molecular docking, which were then validated using animal experiments.

Methods: Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to predict the core targets and potential pathways of LMQXMQ for ADHD, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed the potential significance of dopamine (DA) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathways. To verify the hypothesis, we conducted an animal experiment. In the animal experiment, the young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were randomly divided into the model group (SHR), the methylphenidate hydrochloride group (MPH, 4.22 mg/kg), and 3 LMQXM groups (low-dose (LD) group, 5.28 ml/kg; medium-dose (MD) group, 10.56 ml/kg; and high-dose (HD) group, 21.12 ml/kg), and administered by gavage for 4 weeks; the WKY rats were set as the control group. The open field test and Morris water maze test were used to evaluate the behavioral performance of rats, high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to analyze DA levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum of rats, ELISA was used to detect cAMP concentrations in the PFC and striatum, and immunohistochemistry and qPCR were used to analyze positive cell expression and mRNA expression for indicators related to DA and cAMP pathways.

Results: The results showed that beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, rhynchophylline, baicalein, and formononetin might be key components of LMQXM for ADHD and that these components bind well to the core targets, DA receptors (DRD1 and DRD2). Furthermore, LMQXM might act through the DA and cAMP signaling pathways. In the animal experiment, we found that MPH and LMQXM-MD controlled hyperactivity and improved learning and memory in SHRs, while LMQXM-HD only controlled hyperactivity in SHRs; meanwhile, MPH and LMQXM-MD upregulated DA and cAMP levels, mean optical density (MOD) of cAMP, and MOD and mRNA expression of DRD1 and PKA in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum of SHRs, while LMQXM-LD and LMQXM-HD upregulated DA and cAMP levels in the striatum, MOD of cAMP in the PFC, and mRNA expression of PKA in the PFC. However, we did not find a significant regulatory effect of LMQXM on DRD2.

Conclusion: To sum up, this study demonstrated that LMQXM may increase DA levels mainly by activating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway through DRD1, thereby controlling the behavioral disorders of SHRs, which is most effective at moderate doses, and this may be a key mechanism for LMQXM in the treatment of ADHD.

Phytosterols Alleviate Hyperlipidemia by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Cholesterol Metabolism in Mice

Phytosterols (PS) have been shown to regulate cholesterol metabolism and alleviate hyperlipidemia (HLP), but the mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which PS regulates cholesterol metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. The results showed that PS treatment reduced the accumulation of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the serum of HFD mice, while increasing the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Compared with HFD mice, PS not only increased the antioxidant activity of the liver but also regulated the mRNA expression levels of enzymes and receptors related to cholesterol metabolism. The hypolipidemic effect of PS was abolished by antibiotic (Abx) intervention and reproduced by fecal transplantation (FMT) intervention. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that PS modulated the gut microbiota of mice. PS reduced the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and other bile salt hydrolase- (BSH-) producing gut microbiota in HFD mice, which are potentially related to cholesterol metabolism. These findings partially explain the mechanisms by which PS regulates cholesterol metabolism. This implies that regulation of the gut microbiota would be a potential target for the treatment of HLP.

Evaluation of the Anxiolytic and Anti-Epileptogenic Potential of Lactuca Serriola Seed Using Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Kindling in Mice and Metabolic Profiling of Its Bioactive Extract

This study aimed to assess the potential of Lactuca serriola (Asteraceae) seed n-hexane, chloroform, methanol, and aqueous extracts as anticonvulsant, sedative, anticonvulsant and antiepileptic agents in Swiss albino mice. Different doses of each extract were evaluated for the anxiolytic potential using the hole-board, the elevated plus maze and the light/dark test. A phenobarbitone-induced sleep test was employed for the evaluation of sedative potential. Acute anticonvulsant activity was evaluated by picrotoxin and strychnine-induced convulsion models. All extracts significantly reduced the number of head dips where n-hexane extract (400 mg/kg) showed 96.34% reduction in the tendency of head dipping when compared with the control. Mice treated with extracts preferred elevated plus maze open arms and were shown to lack open arms evasion, especially n-hexane extract (400 mg/kg)-which showed 456.14%-increased the duration of open arm stay with the respective control group. By reducing sleep latency and greatly lengthening sleep duration, L. serriola enhanced the effects of barbiturate-induced sleep. A significant increase in convulsion latency and decrease in convulsions induced by picrotoxin and strychnine duration was observed in all extract-treated groups. All the extracts exhibited anti-epileptogenic potential as the seizure score in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced kindling in mice was reduced significantly. Maximum protection was afforded by chloroform extract that reduced the seizure score by 79.93% compared with the PTZ group. Chloroform executed antioxidant effect by elevating super oxide dismutase (SOD) by 126%, catalase (CAT) by 83.53%, total glutathione (tGSH) by 149%, and reducing malondialdhyde (MDA) levels by 36.49% in the brain tissues that is further consolidated by histopathological examination. Metabolic profiling of the most active chloroform extract using Gas chromatography coupled with mass showed the presence of 16 compounds. This anti-epileptic activity was further confirmed via in silico molecular modelling studies in the active site Gamma-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase (GABA-AT) where all of the tested metabolites illustrated a potent inhibitory potential towards GABA-AT with hexadecanoic acid, 15-methyl-, methyl ester followed by octadecanoic acid, methyl ester showed the best fitting. The results indicated the possible anxiolytic and anti-epileptogenic potential of the plant and further consolidated the ethnopharmacological use of L. serriola seeds.

Anxiolytic effect of YangshenDingzhi granules: Integrated network pharmacology and hippocampal metabolomics

Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental diseases. It is mainly characterized by a sudden, recurring but indescribable panic, fear, tension and/or anxiety. Yangshendingzhi granules (YSDZ) are widely used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, but its active ingredients and underlying mechanisms are not yet clear. This study integrates network pharmacology and metabolomics to investigate the potential mechanism of action of YSDZ in a rat model of anxiety. First, potential active ingredients and targets were screened by network pharmacology. Then, predictions were verified by molecular docking, molecular dynamics and western blotting. Metabolomics was used to identify differential metabolites and metabolic pathways. All results were integrated for a comprehensive analysis. Network pharmacology analysis found that Carotene, β-sitosterol, quercetin, Stigmasterol, and kaempferol in YSDZ exert anxiolytic effects mainly by acting on IL1β, GABRA1, PTGS1, ESR1, and TNF targets. Molecular docking results showed that all the affinities were lower than -5 kcal/mol, and the average affinities were -7.7764 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics simulation results showed that RMSD was lower than 2.5 A, and the overall conformational changes of proteins were small, indicating that the small molecules formed stable complexes with proteins. The results of animal experiments showed that YSDZ exerts anxiolytic effects by regulating GABRA1 and TNF-α, ameliorating pathological damage in hippocampal CA1, and regulating metabolic pathways such as thiamine, cysteine and methionine metabolism, lysine biosynthesis and degradation. Altogether, we reveal multiple mechanisms through which YSDZ exerts its anti-anxiety effects, which may provide a reference for its clinical application and drug development.

Carbon Dots Derived from Os Draconis and Their Anxiolytic Effect

Background

At present, people are susceptible to developing depression and anxiety disorders in response to stress. However, there is no specific medicine for anxiety. Os Draconis (OD, named "Long gu" in Chinese) are fossilized bones that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat neurological diseases for thousands of years. Thus, we conducted this study to determine the biological basis for the anxiolytic effect of OD.

Methods

In this study, novel carbon dots (OD-CDs) from OD decoctions were discovered and separated. OD-CDs were anatomized using nanomaterials characterization methods to characterize the morphological structure, optical properties, and functional group properties. Four behavioural tests were conducted to observe the behavioural activities of mice, including the open field test (OFT), light/dark box test (LDT), elevated plus maze test (EPMT), and novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT), to determine its anxiolytic effects. Moreover, we assessed the possible mechanisms of the OD-CDs by detecting hormones associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Results

OD-CDs were spherical and monodispersed with a narrow size distribution between 1 and 5 nm and had a yield of 3.67%. OD-CDs increased the activity time of mice in the central zone in the OFT. The mice in the experimental group showed more frequent activity in the light compartment and the open arms, in LDT and EPMT, respectively. In addition, OD-CDs shortened the feeding latency in the NSFT. Furthermore, the results after OD-CDs intervention showed a significant increase in serum serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE). In addition, the concentrations of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ATCH), and corticosterone (CORT) were decreased.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate a definite anxiolytic effect of OD-CDs and reveal the possible mechanism of action of OD-CDs' anxiolytic effect, which supports the research of OD for neurological disorders and a promising new trend of therapeutic approach and drug development.

A Myb transcription factor, PgMyb308-like, enhances the level of shikimate, aromatic amino acids, and lignins, but represses the synthesis of flavonoids and hydrolyzable tannins, in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Pomegranate fruit peels are highly abundant in metabolites derived from the shikimate pathway, such as hydrolyzable tannins (HTs) and flavonoids. These metabolites are beneficial to human health (commercial juice is enriched with peel metabolites), and also protect the fruit from environmental stresses. To understand the transcriptional control of shikimate pathway-related metabolites in pomegranate, we cloned and characterized a subgroup S4 R2R3 Myb transcription factor, PgMyb308-like. Overexpressing PgMyb308-like in pomegranate hairy roots increased the accumulation of shikimate, aromatic amino acids, isoferulic acid, and total lignins, but led to reduced gallic acid and its downstream products HTs, as well as multiple flavonoids. Changes in these metabolites are supported by the increased expression of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase and shikimate dehydrogenase 1 (PgSDH1) (the SDH isoform associated with shikimate biosynthesis), and the reduced expression of PgSDH4 (the SDH isoform suggested to produce gallic acid). Transcriptome analysis of PgMyb308-like-overexpressing hairy roots further revealed reprogramming of cell wall-related genes, while overexpression of PgMyb308-like in Arabidopsis thaliana plants uncovered its distinct role in a different genetic and metabolic background. These results together suggest that PgMyb308-like activates genes in the shikimate pathway and lignin biosynthesis, but suppresses those involved in the production of HTs and flavonoids.

Gut feelings: the microbiota-gut-brain axis on steroids

The intricate connection between central and enteric nervous systems is well established with emerging evidence linking gut microbiota function as a significant new contributor to gut-brain axis signaling. Several microbial signals contribute to altered gut-brain communications, with steroids representing an important biological class that impacts central and enteric nervous system function. Neuroactive steroids contribute pathologically to neurological disorders, including dementia and depression, by modulating the activity of neuroreceptors. However, limited information is available on the influence of neuroactive steroids on the enteric nervous system and gastrointestinal function. In this review, we outline how steroids can modulate enteric nervous system function by focusing on their influence on different receptors that are present in the intestine in health and disease. We also highlight the potential role of the gut microbiota in modulating neuroactive steroid signaling along the gut-brain axis.